Kashmir clerics decry use of force

Srinagar, Apr 19: Jamiat-e-Aimai Ulma (JAU) Jammu Kashmir Wednesday protested against the use of force on civilians in Kashmir.The religious preachers from different parts of Kashmir who assembled here in Press Enclave Srinagar staged a silent protest over the civilian killings and the use of force on students. Carrying placards seeking resolution to long pending Kashmir issue, the protesting religious preachers said that the “dignity of people of Kashmir is at stake while the insolent attitude of New Delhi has been aggravating the situation”.“Our respect, lives and property are not safe. Mainstream parties have always exploited the people of Kashmir. We appeal all the stakeholders including India, Pakistan, mainstream politicians and Hurriyat to adopt a way that could suit the people of trouble-torn Kashmir,” they said.“We do support the stand of Hurriyat leadership and admit that Kashmir is a dispute that needs to be resolved. However, Hurriyat needs to adopt a vibrant strategy that could take people out of trouble. People of Kashmir have been suffering and there is a need to protect them,” they said and added that even the first Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru promised plebiscite to the people of Kashmir.The protesting clerics castigated Indian news channels for targeting Islam and Muslims. “If these channels will not change their behavior and stop targeting Islam and Muslim, it will lead to disaster,” they said. (CNS)